City Council

Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4007 www.LowellMA.gov Lowell City Council Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Regular Meeting Minutes Date: Feb 24, 2015 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA CITY CLERK 1. - CITY CLERK 1.1. 2015 / 87 - Minutes of City Council Meeting February 17th, for acceptance. Roll Call showed 8 present, 1 absent (M. Elliott). Vice Chair Leahy Presiding. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2. - UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2.1. 2015 / 53 - Order of Taking and Acceptance of Asbury Way In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Leahy, John J. x Martin Jr., William F. x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x x City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 7) Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. - GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1. 2015 / 35 - Loan Order-Garage Repair Bonds ($6,640,000) Lower Locks, Leo Garages In Council, Given 2nd reading. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. Hearing held. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed. C. Mercier noted the matter was discussed in a Finance SC meeting outlining the reasons for the loan order and the financial plan of repayment of the loan. C. Mercier noted the need to repair the garages. C. Kennedy commented on the contribution from UMass-Lowell as they use that Lower Locks Garage. Manager Murphy noted he has spoken with Chancellor of the University and noted he would be willing to contribute but they must go through their process for such action. Manager Murphy indicated that Jim Troup (Parking Director) would be meeting with UMass-Lowell officials to further discuss the matter and that any contribution will lessen the loan amount. Manager Murphy noted that the ability to refinance other loans of the City would be helpful in repaying this loan. C. Martin noted the money to repay loan would be coming out of the Parking Enterprise Fund and questioned the status of other garages. Mr. Troup noted that he would be able to establish a more aggressive preventive maintenance program to enable the other garages to stay sound longer. C. Milinazzo noted the Early Garage sign needs to be repaired. Matter to remain in Clerk’s Office for 20 days. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x x Leahy, John J. x Martin Jr., William F. x Mercier, Rita M. x x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 7) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2015 / 97 - Informational Reports A. Mercier Center Police Precinct B. LPD Training Account Information C. Law Enforcement Trust Accounts In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. C. Milinazzo commented on Motion Response B and C regarding LPD Training Account and Law Enforcement Trust Accounts noting the reports were informative as they indicated how the money is collected and distributed. C. Rourke questioned when the Lowell Housing Authority officer would be on duty. Supt. Taylor (LPD) noted it would be within the month. 4.2. 2015 / 95 - Communication - City Mgr. request approval Out of State Travel (1) MIS; and (1) Library. In Council, read and adopted. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Leahy, John J. x Martin Jr., William F. x x Mercier, Rita M. x x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. 2015 / 94 - Vote - Endorse the Approval of the 2015 Open Space and Recreation Plan City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 7) In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. C. Martin noted it was good report with a lot of effort and it will be a good road map for City. C. Rourke noted the detail in the report. Manager Murphy acknowledged the work of the DPD on the report. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Leahy, John J. x Martin Jr., William F. x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x x 5.2. 2015 / 96 - Vote-Transfer ($2,249,058.58) from Ch 17 Reserve to General Stabilization Fund In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Martin. So voted. Conor Baldwin (CFO) commented on the transfer noting that Net School Funding would be met for this fiscal year and noted that the monies could now be transferred to General Stabilization Fund as indicated prior. C. Martin commented on other reserves with the City and the amounts contained therein. C. Samaras noted that it was important to meet the Net School Funding from an educational aspect. C. Milinazzo noted that the reserves show a stable financial situation in the City and thanked State Delegation for their assistance in repealing Chapter 17 Reserve Funding. Vice Chair Leahy noted the report regarding school funding is good for education in the City. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x x Leahy, John J. x Martin Jr., William F. x x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 7) Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6.1. 2015 / 93 - Transportation SC February 24, 2015. In City Council, C. Milinazzo presented the report noting the attendance and the discussion involving design plans and construction schedules for the Lord Overpass area. C. Milinazzo noted the engineers were present and outlined initial designs which focused on pedestrian traffic as well as improve traffic flow, he further noted the public would have ample opportunity to be involved with the process. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Martin. So voted. PETITIONS 7. - PETITIONS 7.1. 2015 / 89 - Claims - (3) Property. In Council, read and Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Martin, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 7.2. 2015 / 88 - Misc. - Bettina Romberg request permission to address the Council regarding the issuance of Licenses to Carry Firearms in the City of Lowell. In City Council, Petitioner, Bettina Romberg, outlined her petition regarding gun licensing in the City and provided the Council with an information packet. In addition to the Petitioner the following individuals registered to speak in opposition to the current gun licensing procedure in the City: ARTHUR PERKINS; GEOFF PIERSON; BOB WRIGHT; RAYMOND NOEL; JOHN LATHROP; JEAN PEEPLES; and GREG ORTIZ. C. Belanger noted it was a sensitive issue and that the criteria may be unbalanced and there could be a need to review the policy. C. Mercier noted the rights that exists and that responsible people should be entitled to that right and that any policy should be fair. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo to refer petition to Superintendent of Lowell Police Department for review and recommendations if applicable. So City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 7) voted. C. Milinazzo noted the need for police to have input on the matter. C. Samaras noted the need for information and that gun issues are prevalent and a balance needs to be struck. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. 2015 / 90 - C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. continue to communicate with Capstone Construction officials regarding construction of private dormitories in the City and coordinate a meeting with UMass-Lowell and City officials to discuss the matter. In Council, withdrawn by C. Belanger. 8.2. 2015 / 91 - C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. petition Governor and State Delegation to take necessary steps to provide financial relief to municipalities for the February 8th and 9th snow storms. In Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy noted the costs associated with snow removal this year are substantial and that they should be seeking assistance with covering those costs. 8.3. 2015 / 92 - C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. invite surrounding communities to join City in petition regarding financial relief for the February 8th and 9th snow storms. In Council, seconded by C. Belanger, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy noted the strength in numbers approach and that all communities are in the same position. C. Martin noted the strong effort put forth by the DPD during the snow season. C. Belanger noted the effort as well and requested a note be sent to Vermont National Guard for their assistance with snow removal. ADJOURNMENT 9. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 7) Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov